The Washington critic., 1887-05-28

be longer neglected, q tunnel or larger
sewer must be constructed from Lyons
Mil to point near the outlet OF Rock
Creek into the river. The creek must be
turned into this tunnel along with the large
sewers now emptying into It,.
Unless this is done soon the portions Of the
city lying north and east Of the creok may
be rendered unhealthy, as at present the
large sewers Of that locality empty their
contents into Rock Creek, near p street,
polluting that stream and breeding malaria
for the benefit OF the favored portions OF
North Washington.
THE NATIONAL OBSERVATORY.
Just north Of the Linthicum Place aud
west Of Mr.. Elverson's, the Government
owns large tract Of land on which Con-
gress has appropriated the money to build
the new National Observatory. From this
elite grand panoramic view is obtained Of
Washington and the surrounding country.
The Soldiers Home eau be seen from this
point and poiuts far distant in Virginia
and down the river. The observatory and
grounds, when completed, will make this
aplace of attraction and general interest
To approach this interesting spot, right Of
way has been granted the Government for
the construction of handsome avenue
through the grounds Of Mr.. Elverson and
Mr.. Dent to U street, near Thirty-flrst
street, West Washington. The Park, the
National Observatory, the residences OF
President Cleveland, Secretary Whitney,
&C., all serve as additional attractions for
Georgetown Heights. Fashion tends that
way.
To appreciate the prospects for West
Washington, lot q person picture to himself
what must take place 10 the near future,
namely; the connection Of the Washington
streets by direct bridges with West Wash
ipgton. At present there are only four
bridges between these two sections Of the
city. This connection must closely follow
the Improvement Of the Rock Creek Valley,
and the tide Of fashion setting westward de-
mands that this plan should be carried out
at once. This will shorten the distance very
materially between North and West Wash
ington, as the public will then not have
TO travel out Of their way to reach
any certain bridge to cross the ravine
as they now do. When these bridges are
built the property in Georgetown will rate
with the best property in Washington. At
present Georgetown property is selling at
from one-tenth to one-fourth the price
asked for property no more advantageously
situated In North Washington. Tue differ
ence is too great even In the present condi
tion Of things, and as property in West
Washington will support handsome class
Of improvements 1t is advancing rapidly
and must continue to advance for some
time to come.
GENERAL REMARKS.
While 1t is not claimed for West Wash.
ington that there will be phenomenal rise
which has taken place in the new settlement
OF Northern Washington, and where ground
that was selling for five cents foot now
sells at SO to $5, 1t is claimed that tho 10
cality has great advantages that have no,
been appreciated Of late years, and that
now that attention is being called to II, 1,
must have a large advance to place 1t or
the same footing as other portions OF the
city equally favored.
To a man with ordinary intelligence, The
argument needs no elaboration that Q
home in q locality like that described
above, is preferable to one on the extreme
outskirts OF the city proper, where 1t will
take years to mako the neighborhood 1T fol
people OF ordinary taste to reside, and
where comparative mountains have to bt
cut away and gullys to be filled to run the
streets.
Aside from the advantages offered by
West Washington a, place Of residence
the commercial interests of the place arr
looking up. Business has been better thIt
spring than for long time; money that hal
been kept boarded up for years by the old
residents Of the place has been put In circu
latioD, and Is now being used to improve
business property on the principal streets
A walk up Bridge and High streets viii